Caveat emptor (or know what you are getting into when finding a pet)

Sunday

Mar 29, 2009 at 3:15 AM

Over the last three weeks we have investigated the idea of how to find a suitable and satisfactory pet dog.

This column has reviewed some of the legal responsibilities and limitations on dog breeders in New Hampshire, and offered suggestions as to how to select a breed or type of dog that you will be happy with over many years.

This time I want to suggest some tests you can perform to confirm that the person offering you a dog is someone you can feel safe in dealing with.

"Caveat Emptor" ("let the buyer beware") was first issued as a warning to consumers in Rome, about 2000 years ago. It is equally applicable today.

If I had a dollar for every time I have had someone explain to me that they took a dog or puppy from someplace because they didn't dare leave it there, I would be in Africa right now on safari.

If the dog's living conditions are so bad that you want to rescue the dog, and will pay the asking price in order to get the dog out of there — BEWARE. That does not mean that you walk away and abandon the dog to his fate — but that you do NOT encourage scumbags to continue with dogs by paying money for their despicable behavior.

Rather, you leave and file a report with the local police about the conditions you found. If necessary, you continue to contact the police until they actually investigate your claims and deal with the miscreant satisfactorily.

If this bad breeder uses the American Kennel Club registry, you can also file a complaint with the AKC at their Raleigh, N.C., office. The AKC Compliance, Investigations and Inspection Department can be reached at 919-816-3563.

AKC has field inspectors who ensure anyone who registers their dogs with AKC meets basic care and conditions requirements, along with accurate record keeping. Those who do not can be fined a considerable amount and lose all future AKC privileges.

Field inspectors will also file legal charges with local law enforcement officials and help with criminal investigations. I have worked with the person who is responsible for inspecting this area of the country — he is well-trained and dedicated to the welfare of dogs.

If you contact someone about buying one of their dogs, and they offer to meet you somewhere to show you the dog, but you are not allowed to visit their home or kennel — BUYER BEWARE! If you visit someone and they will not allow you into the house or the kennel — BUYER BEWARE.

It is imperative that you be able to see the environment your dog grew up in. For example — it is extremely difficult to housebreak any dog that spent time in a place that was not kept scrupulously clean. Living in filth, or in a space contaminated by urine and feces, will short-circuit the dog's instinct to keep its nest clean.

If you visit a kennel and you can smell and hear the dogs from the road — BEWARE. If you are not allowed to see and spend time with the pup's mother and father (if he is on premises) — BEWARE.

If you take your pup home and it appears lethargic, dirty, or ill, despite having a health certificate — BEWARE. If you are seeking a dog of any breed with possible hereditary defects, and the breeder will not provide proof that both parents have been tested clear of this defect — BEWARE.

How are you to know if any specific breed is susceptible to hereditary defects? Silly person — you will learn this while you investigate the breed way before you think about seeking a pup. And if you decide that you want a crossbred dog (parents are each a pure-bred, but of two different breeds) you will research both breeds. If you want a dog that has more than two breeds behind it, you will research all of them.

Crossing two or more breeds together does not eliminate the potential for inherited defects — it merely increases the potential for a variety of genes coming from each different ancestor.

When you take on a new pet, of whatever species or breed, your first step after two days of living with the animal is to ask your own veterinarian to examine the animal to determine its current health and condition and to issue a current health certificate. Veterinarians in every state contiguous to New Hampshire have access to forms required in this state.

If the examination determines the animal is not healthy, any licensed kennel or pet store must accept return of the animal for a full refund, if you return it within 14 days of purchase. Individual breeders are not bound by this same statute, but they are honor-bound to provide a refund or replacement animal — your choice.

Being a wise consumer is not only protection for you and your family — it also protects the dogs.

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